Dana Santas is a certified strength and conditioning specialist, experienced registered yoga teacher and mind-body coach known as the Mobility Maker.

Last year, I underwent surgery, intended to repair an incisional hernia stemming from a cesarean section when I had my youngest son.

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In my career as a mobility coach in professional sports, I've helped numerous athletes rehabilitate from sports hernia surgeries, so I was familiar with the recovery process and had set my expectations accordingly.

However, during my surgery prep and procedure, the doctor discovered that the damage to my core was considerably more than just a hernia.

It required a 6-inch incision to excise my old scar and provide access for the extensive repair, reattachment and remobilization of my primary core muscles. Consequently, my rehabilitation process was much more challenging than anticipated.

Despite having prepared myself mentally and physically for hernia surgery, I was not ready for the post-surgical reality of a major core repair. Honestly, during that first week, between the pain, swelling and immobility, I felt like an alien in a human meat suit -- completely disconnected from my body.

Whether you need to recover from a stressful day, a strenuous workout or even an injury or surgery, restorative yoga may be just the thing for you. In fact, if you're recovering from surgery, it may be one of the only forms of exercise that's safe and effective.

What's more, its focus on fostering a mind-body connection can help you overcome that awful post-surgery funk that comes from feeling out-of-touch with your sore, swollen body.

Although some forms of yoga, such as power and vinyasa, can be quite strenuous, restorative yoga is much gentler, encouraging the use of props like pillows and blankets to facilitate relaxation. It's all about initiating our parasympathetic nervous system, the "rest and restore" aspect of our autonomic nervous system that stimulates the body's processes for restoration and recovery, such as digestion, sleep and tissue repair.

In fact, because of its physiological benefits, research suggests that the use of restorative yoga-based practices can actually decrease healing time.

Because I know I'm not alone in my surgery and recovery experience, I'm sharing four of the most effective exercises from the restorative yoga practice I've been doing. It may seem like a lot of lying around and relaxing. That's because it is! For many people, putting in the time, effort and focus to heal properly is the hardest part.

Personally, it's where I struggle the most, because I always want to do more.

Although these gentle exercises are safe for most people, if you're rehabbing from surgery or an injury, check with your doctor for approval.

Diaphragmatic breathing with mantra meditation

Diaphragmatic breathing is your most efficient and effective ally in the recovery process. It takes only 90 seconds of deep breathing to begin decreasing your heart rate and blood pressure and stimulating aspects of your nervous, endocrine and circulatory systems that promote relaxation and restoration.

Take a comfortable position sitting or lying down. I like putting my legs on a bolster to raise them above my heart for added benefits (more on this in "legs-up-the-wall" instructions below).

Once you've established a long, deep breath, begin repeating a mantra to coincide with each inhalation and exhalation. A mantra is a single word or phrase intended to help shape our thoughts in positive ways. Some of the world's most successful leaders, like Steve Jobs, have been known to use mantras. Take 10 or more long deep breaths, repeating your mantra in synch with your breathing.

This has been my mantra during my recovery:

Inhale: I am healthy.

Exhale: I feel strong.

Supported fish pose

Lie supine on a bolster or large pillow so that your entire back, shoulders, neck and head are supported. As long as you don't experience low-back pain, extend your legs straight out on the floor. Otherwise, you can modify by bending your knees. Let your arms rest out to the sides to create an opening sensation.

This pose releases chest, neck and shoulder tension. Once approved by your doctor, this can be effective for gently releasing scar tissue and adhesions in people recovering from heart, lung and breast surgeries.

Gentle is the key word here. Always listen to your body. Nothing about restorative yoga should feel cautionary or cause anxiety. As long as you're comfortable, remain here for 10 or more long, deep breaths.

Legs up the wall

Legs-up-the-wall pose, known as Viparita Karani in Sanskrit, is arguably the most popular restorative yoga pose. It's definitely my favorite. My body reacts to the stresses of surgery by producing a high degree of edema, especially in my legs. By changing our relationship with gravity and raising our legs above our heart, we promote venous blood flow that reduces swelling.

To get into this posture, simply sit on the floor with your right shoulder and right hip a few inches from a wall. Lower your left shoulder toward the floor and swing your legs straight up the wall with your back and head resting on the ground.

If having your legs straight up is too much for you, modify by resting them on a chair seat with your knees bent. If you experience discomfort in your neck or back, place a thin pillow or folded blanket behind your head and/or hips. Remain in this posture for at least 10 long, deep breaths.

I usually stay in it for five to 10 minutes after practicing my rehab exercises or any time I start to feel swelling build in my lower body.

Progressive muscle relaxation

You can do this exercise from sitting, standing or lying down. I prefer to do it flat on my back with arms and legs slightly open. The goal of this practice is to actively create a sense of relaxation throughout your body by first tensing each area to establish an awareness and connection.

Establish diaphragmatic breathing and maintain it throughout the exercise. On an inhalation, close your eyes tightly while clenching your teeth to tighten your jaw. Exhale to release (but you can keep your eyes gently closed, if you prefer), softening your face, jaw and tongue.

Inhale fully, expanding every part of your ribcage, and hold your breath, creating tension in your chest, upper back and neck. Exhale to release completely.

Inhale and squeeze your hands into fists, tensing all the muscles of your arms. Exhale to release. Inhale to squeeze the muscles of your bottom and pelvic floor while tightening your abdomen. Exhale to release.

Inhale to curl your toes while trying to activate all the muscles of your legs. Exhale to release. Take 10 or more long, deep breaths while resting in awareness of a state of complete relaxation